The word "Coptis" is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants in the buttercup family. It is commonly known as goldthread or yellowroot due to its golden yellow rhizomes. Synonyms for "Coptis" include Ranunculaceae, Caltha palustris, and Actaea pachypoda. Some other names for this plant may include cankerroot, mouthroot, and snakebite. In traditional Chinese medicine, Coptis is known as Huang Lian and is used for its pharmacological properties. Its active compound, berberine, is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Overall, Coptis and its synonyms are important to recognize when studying the medicinal properties of this plant.